Extra Services

Okinawa Expressway tolls to jump April 1st

Date Posted: 2012-03-23

It is fast, easy and convenient, but driving the Okinawa Expressway will cost more money April 1st as Nexco West Japan boosts tolls.

Beginning at one minute after midnight on Sunday, April 1st, the fares will be increased to the former Expressway tolls level, and that’s no April Fool’s joke. A Nexco spokesman says that “even though the fares increase, Okinawa is still getting an advantage on expressway tolls compared with mainland Japan.”

He says “Okinawa has been getting a 30% discount on expressway fares by government subsidy since July 1st, 2009 until the toll-free expressway experiment was implemented in June 2010. That trial was ended last June, but Nexco continued with a 10% discount after the free trial plan because they worried that Okinawans will be confused.”

That discount is finished, but ETC holders will still receive special discounts after April 1st. From midnight to 4 a.m., a 30% discount will be in effect, with no limit on the number of times the car’s on the expressway. From 6 a.m. ~ 9 a.m., and 5 p.m. ~ 8 p.m., a once per day 50% discount will be in effect.